Michigan Recieves $8 Million In Careers For Historically Underserved

In a recent announcement, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity have awarded around $8 million in grant money to support the new Michigan Statewide Pre-Apprenticeship “Ready for Construction” Program that will connect more than 640 unemployed and underemployed people across the state.

The program will help participants by providing them with on-the-job training as well as giving them access to resources that will help them gain a full-time position in building trades as well as the transportation industry. The program will give priority to applicants who are unemployed, underemployed, low-income, minorities, and women who have been historically underserved when it came to Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship program opportunities.

"Registered Apprenticeship has been an important tool in helping prepare Michiganders to enter in-demand, high-wage careers. We've identified Apprenticeship Readiness programming and pre-apprenticeship training as critical success factors, and MiSPARC will help us meet the training needs that will lead to success for our state's residents and businesses."

Stephanie Beckhorn, LEO's Office of Employment and Training Director

Training for these programs will focus on increasing the number of skilled workers in the construction industry while also helping to fill in current skill gaps furthering the state's infrastructure as well as continuing to invest in Michigan's economic growth.

The MiSPARC grant is a historic investment in working people and in the future of Michigan’s workforce. While the building and construction trades are preparing for the many infrastructure projects scheduled for this year, the Michigan Workforce Development Institute is training the next generation of Apprentices and Journeyworkers. This funding will allow the state to expand and grow apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training programs helping to prepare more workers for high-demand careers in the building and construction trades.